Batata Poha Aloo Poha

About Batata Poha

You have your usual Maharashtrian-style Poha Recipe and all you gotto do for turning it into a beautiful Batata Poha is to add some potatoes (known as batata in Marathi language) to it. The rest of the preparation method stays just the same. You actually don’t have to do much in it. Here, I have posted my mother’s version of making this recipe of Aloo Poha. I have had pohas at many places in Mumbai. But I like the poha the way my mom makes it. Her recipe of making the Aloo Poha is too good. So, I too follow her recipe only for making poha at my home.   This recipe of Batata Poha is slightly different from the regular version of making the same and that is instead of using boiled potatoes, I pan-fry or sauté the batata or potatoes first. This adds a crisp texture to the poha along with the crunchiness of the roasted peanuts. The lovely fried potatoes along with the other crunchy elements like the peanuts, onions and spices makes this Aloo Poha a firecracker dish for the palate. It is so comforting and satisfying at the same time that you may also want to turn it into a lunch or dinner meal as well. I also add grated fresh coconut at times. But it’s entirely optional. If you have coconut, well and good and if you do not have coconut, then too the dish will be just as fine. In short, this poha recipe tastes great even without the coconut.

How to make Batata Poha

Roast Peanuts

1. Heat a pan and add 2 tablespoons peanuts.
2. Roast the peanuts on medium-low to medium heat until they become crunchy and set aside.

Prepare Poha Mixture

3. Pick 1½ cups poha and rinse it in clean running water twice or thrice. Use a strainer to rinse it. Make sure that you do not rinse it too much or else it breaks and gets mushy. While rinsing, the poha absorbs enough water and it becomes soft. The poha must become soft but remain intact, whole and separate. If the poha does not become soft, sprinkle few drops of water on the poha in the strainer.
4. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon sugar and salt as required in the poha.
5. Gently mix with your hands.

Sauté Potatoes

6. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan or kadai.
7. Add 1 large potato, peeled and chopped into ½ inch small cubes, in the pan.
8. Sauté the potatoes till light golden and crisp.
9. Remove them with a slotted spoon and keep aside.

Sauté Spices, Onions & Green Chilies

10. In the same pan or kadai, lower the heat. Then, add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds to the hot oil. When they splutter, add the 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. 11. Allow the cumin seeds to change the color and crackle.
11. Then, add about ½ cup finely chopped onions.
12. Sauté the onions until they turn translucent and soften.
13. Now, add 7 to 8 curry leaves, 1 teaspoon chopped green chilies, sauté for half a minute.
14. Add the roasted peanuts and mix well.

Make Batata Poha

16. Add the prepared poha mixture.
17. Stir gently but very well till everything is mixed evenly.
18. Next, add the sautéed potatoes. Again, mix gently with the rest of the mixture. Check the taste and add more of the salt or sugar, if required.
19. Cover the pan tightly with a lid and steam the poha for a minute or two on low heat. This method softens the poha. Turn off the heat and keep the pan covered for 4 to 5 minutes more.
20. Remove the lid. Batata poha is ready to be served now. You can also garnish the poha with chopped coriander leaves and grated fresh coconut.
21. Serve Batata Poha with chopped lemon pieces. The lemon juice has to be squeezed on to the poha before eating it. Alternatively, you can also do this method. Once the poha is done, sprinkle about 1 teaspoon lemon juice on the poha. Mix it with the poha and then garnish it with coconut and coriander leaves.
22. While serving, garnish with a fresh sprinkling of chopped coriander leaves. Serve Batata Poha hot or warm.

Expert Tips

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Indori Poha Aval Upma Recipe | Poha Upma | How To Make Aval Upma Chura Matar | Delicious Matar Poha Poha Idli This Batata Poha from the archives was first published on July 2010. It has been updated and republished on June 2024.